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Showing 251 - 260 results (out of a total of 319) found for "Golf" in Ask Us Anything

Looking for reasonably priced diesel car...

I'm looking for a reasonably priced diesel car Focus/Mondeo size from Opel, Ford or Volkswagen, 2008 on, low mileage car. I would average 20,000km a year.

Fintan O'Malley (Bailieboro)

Jan 2013 Filed under: diesel

Expert answer

Hi Fintan,

OK, well you’re kind of cutting across class boundaries there — a Focus and a Mondeo are really quite different cars, with the Focus being smaller, cheaper and arguably more fun to drive, and the Mondeo being more expensive, but bigger, comfier and more refined. That goes pretty much the same for the Opel Astra and Insignia, or the Volkswagen Golf or Passat. So the first thing you need to work out is what you want, and what you need, and whether or not you need the bigger car, or if something more compact will do.

Of the brands you’ve mentioned, the VWs will probably do the best in reliability terms, with Ford being the most enjoyable to drive, and Opel falling somewhere in the middle, but you should also be considering the likes of the Toyota Auris and Avensis (best for reliability), the Peugeot 308 and 508 (stylish, good to drive) and the Mazda3 and Mazda6 (reliable and both very good to drive). 


Is the new Golf Plus available now in Ireland?

Is the new Volkswagen Golf Plus available now in Ireland?

GEORGE FORD (KINSALE. CO. CORK)

Jan 2013 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi George,

We spoke to Volkswagen Ireland and it confirmed that yes, it is. Prices start at €23,175 for the Golf Plus Trendline 1.2 TSI 85 and rise to €29,355 for the Life 1.6 TDI 105 DSG version.

Engines are 1.2 TSI petrol in 85- and 105hp guises or 1.6 TDI diesel in 90- and 105hp outputs. DSG automatic available with both 105hp engines. Trim levels are Trendline or Life.

Hope that helps


What car will I replace my Volkswagen Scirocco with?

Having recently been a victim of a car theft (they took my Volkswagen Scirocco 2.0 TDI), I am in the market for a new car. I am completely confused as to what to buy though; fuel economy is a major factor in my decision - the Scirocco was quite economical when driven correctly. I have been looking at Honda, both Accord and Civic though I am worried about the 2.2-litre engine size. Style is also a major factor and I have also viewed a Volvo C30 R-Design and Ford Focus 'WRC'.

Have a love of stylish hatches but not opposed to a change! Please help.

The insurance company will only give me €15,000 so that's my budget for now. I do about 30,000 kilometres a year so need something pretty economical, though I am single so practicality is not really a consideration.

Daniel English (Navan)

Jan 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Daniel,

Sorry to hear about the Scirocco - that 2.0 TDI version is great.

A quick browse of Carzone.ie with your budget and needs in mind brought up a few interesting options:

- Audi A3 2.0 TDI 140 - in Sport or S Line guises for maximum style - loads around
- BMW 118d M Sport - quite rare, but great to drive
- BMW 320d Coupé - you'd have to go pre-2008 with your budget, but current style at least
- Honda Civic Type S - 2.2 diesel is great and post-2008 is taxed according to emissions
- MINI Cooper D - loads around in all different colours at your budget

I've picked out the cars I reckon you'll like and I've left out things like the Volkswagen Golf and regular Ford Focus (among others).

What do you think?

Come back to us and let us know if we're on the right track.


What's wrong with my 02 VW Golf?

Hi,

I have a 2002 Volkswagen Golf and lately it has began to start chugging when driving. It happened tonight and was worse than ever and then the oil light came on.

Claire Kelly (Navan)

Jan 2013 Filed under: fault

Expert answer

Hi Claire,

It's very difficult to assess such things from afar, but I wonder if the oil pressure was low already and the car has damaged one of its big-end bearings on the crankshaft. First thing to do is make sure there's sufficient oil in the engine and then get it along to a good mechanic right away.


Is it possible to retro-fit a reversing camera to my Golf?

Can the rear view reversing camera be retrofitted to a MK6 Volkswagen Golf Edition-R? If so how much would it cost?

Eoin S (Dublin)

Nov 2012 Filed under: aftermarket

Expert answer

Hi Eoin,

We spoke to Volkswagen Ireland and unfortunately the aftermarket brochure does not have have that option. It may be possible to find a second-hand item and have a mechanic fit it, but it'd have to be someone very good.

Sorry to not have better news for you.


Thoughts on the Skoda Rapid?

I just wanted to know your opinions on the Skoda Rapid. I would be interested in the base model in either diesel or petrol. Which engine is better for about 30,000km per annum? Is this car very similar to the VW Jetta or SEAT Toledo?

Thanks

David Clarke (Dublin)

Oct 2012 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi David,

The SEAT Toledo and Skoda Rapid are basically the same car, but with different badges. There’s no close relationship to the Jetta (other than minor systems and bits and pieces under the skin). Actually, the underpinnings are a combination of old Golf and old Polo bits, mixed and matched together. They’re decent cars — reliable and roomy — but not the most sophisticated. You’ll have to put up with a narrow cabin, slightly crude rear suspension and a fair bit of noise inside. If you’re doing 30k a year, you’re probably best off with the 1.6 TDI diesel. You should easily squeeze 55mpg out of that.

Read our Skoda Rapid reviews here

Read our SEAT Toledo reviews here


Which diesel Golf to buy?

Hello. I want to buy a 2009 Volkswagen Golf 2.0-litre diesel, but my question please is how does it compare with the fuel efficency of a 1.6-litre diesel Golf? Which is more fuel efficent? I don't do huge driving, just 60-80 kilometres a trip. Please help!

Thank you.

Lorraine O Connor (Dublin)

Oct 2012 Filed under: fuel economy and emissions

Expert answer

Hi Lorraine,

The 1.6-litre TDI engine is available in either 85- or 105hp outputs both of which have an official combined cycle consumption figure of 4.5 litres/100km (62.8mpg). The 105hp version is also available in BlueMotion trim with its longer gearing, unique bodystyling and other tweaks allowing for fuel consumption of 3.8 litres/100km (74. mpg). By way of comparision the 140hp 2.0-litre TDI Golf returns 4.8 litres/100km - or 58.9mpg in old money.

So while less powerful the 1.6 TDI is more efficient. All of the 1.6 variants also qualify for Band A tax of €160 whereas the 2.0 TDI is Band B, costing €225 annually. 

Just to throw a spanner into the works; over shorter journeys like the ones you outline a petrol powered model may actually prove to be more economical due to the time it takes a diesel engine to heat up and reach ideal operating temperature. And of course it will be cheaper to buy in the first place.

If you would like to discuss this further let us know. 


Looking for a small used diesel car...

I'm looking for a small diesel car like a Corsa or Fiesta with a budget of about €3,000 and between 2000 and 2005 - any suggestions?

David Murphy (Dublin)

Sep 2012 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi David,

The short version is, I’m afraid, you’re going to struggle. Small cars such as that don’t generally sell well with diesel engines, as the petrol variants are very economical already, and the diesel versions are much more expensive. We’ve found one on Carzone.ie (a 2005 VW Polo TDI),  but that was literally the only one we could find on sale that fits the bill. You might want to consider upgrading to a larger car — there are lots of diesel Golfs etc around in your price range.


Which 2006-2008 hatch is most economical?

Im confused as to what's the best economical hatchback car. I want to buy a used car between the years 2006 and 2008. I'm currently spending €110 a week on petrol in a 1.4-litre For Focus.

Any advice?

Anon Anon (Dublin)

Sep 2012 Filed under: fuel economy and emissions

Expert answer

Hi there,

It depends on your driving style, and on where you do most of your driving. If you’re in town all the time, and stuck in stop-start traffic, then it could be worth tracking down a Toyota Prius or a Honda Insight hybrid, bot of which should sip fuel in such circumstances. If you’re up on main roads and motorways all day long, then diesel is still a good idea. A VW Golf 1.6 TDI BlueMotion would be a solid bet for maximum economy then, although if you fancy something a little more stylish, a MINI Cooper D (with the 1.6 diesel engine) will crack 60mpg on a long run.


What's the best engine in the Volkswagen Golf?

Which is the best all round engine in the Volkswagen Golf?

John Lawlor (Dublin)

Sep 2012 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi John,

The most sensible for the majority of buyers is the 1.6 TDI 105hp. This is smooth, quiet, torquey enough to not feel slow and very economical.

Despite all that our preference would be the more expensive (and noisier) 2.0 TDI 140, as it feels substantially quicker.

Best bet is to test drive as many as possible, as you're bound to have a preference - within budget of course.

Hope that helps


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